As November 27, 2022 stipulated date for swearing-in of the declared winner of the July 16 Governorship election in Osun State draws closer, its citizens have heightened their expectations. Prayers are offered to God for a smooth transition and fulfillment of the promises of the Governor-elect, Sen. Ademola Adeleke.
Since the declaration of the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), conversations have shown that the people are looking forward to a new dawn of improved standard of living and more democracy dividends across the state.
Despite the ongoing lawsuit filed by the incumbent governor of the state, Adegboyega Oyetola and his party, All Progressives Congress (APC) before the State Election Petition Tribunal against INEC’s declaration, Osun indigenes are getting set for a change in government.
Adeleke had earlier unveiled a five-point agenda during his campaign. He recently reiterated his commitment to the fulfillment of the agenda, promising that he would not renege on his vows. The optimistic people of the state are ready to hold him by his words as a promise made must be kept.
In his five-point agenda, priority would be placed on workers and pensioners’ welfare. This includes first line charge for salaries, gratuities, and pensions.
Also, the Governor-elect stated that boosting the state economy by business partnering and support for business class; Osun money serving Osun people through homegrown infrastructure policy; People-focused social policy through skill-based education, affordable health care, state security, and social security support; and Agro-based Industrialisation for wealth and job creation for youths and women are part of his administration’s agenda.
This gladdened the hearts of many especially the workers and pensioners who are being owed salary and pension arrears. Though Governor Oyetola pays civil servants promptly, he has not been able to pay the arrears owed by his predecessor and incumbent Minister for the Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
Also, promoted workers who lamented that their promotion did not reflect in their current salary which had no or little addition expressed optimism on the incoming administration.
The protesting pensioners who are still owed gratuities await the intervention of the incoming administration for them to be paid and regain balance as some of them are wallowing in poverty and sickness. The millions disbursed by the present administration for pension and gratuity payment is yet to reach so many due to the arrears owed by previous administrations. The senior citizens plea is that the arrears are cleared.
Analysing Adeleke’s agenda, some political experts have said if he sticks to his promise of delivering full welfare package for workers and pensioners, people-focused social policy, local government autonomy, amongst others; then Osun will be better.
Osun people also look forward to receiving local and foreign investors in the state which will boost its economy and provide employment opportunities for several unemployed youths which will help reduce crime rate in the state as more people will be gainfully engaged.
Local government autonomy is another notable agitation in the state which Adeleke has pledged to address and return power to the local government. LGAs have been deprived of independence, thereby crippling their effectiveness as the state government dictates the flow of funds and how it is spent.
The recent LG election, the people thought would address the issue but to their surprise, only one party, APC participated. Analysts of the election described the exercise as a mere waste of money as the grassroots were not well represented at the polls.
“The election involving just one party will not serve the interest of the masses so it negates local government autonomy. The ‘Yes or No’ ballot papers show a form of compelling as voters have no option.
“Also, declaring the result of the election, no figure of votes polled by candidates or number of voters that participated were mentioned. Only the names of the emerging Chairmen and Councillors were made known to the public. This negates the principle of transparency and fairness.
“The people have actually kept their calm expecting a new government who would listen to the people and not lord their candidates over them,” an analyst stated.
With the people’s expectations for the incoming administration, the Governor-elect has assured that he is set to put smiles on their faces and wipe their tears.
Insinuations that the Governor-elect will not be 100percent available in Osun but busy abroad as well as doubts on his ability to prudently manage the state scarce resources have been made but Adeleke has swiftly assured the people of putting their interest first and putting the decaying infrastructures back in shape. He is under pressure to deliver on his promises for him to stand a pod chance of re-election in 2026 as all eyes are on him to do better than his predecessors in office.
